updated 06:05 am EST, Fri January 7, 2011

Gen 2.0 version named the Samsung SUR40

Microsoft and Samsung have teamed to reveal the next generation Surface 2.0, the Samsung SUR40 multi-touch computer. The latest iteration of Microsoft's Surface incorporates Microsoft's PixelSense technology in its display. It allows the display to recognize fingers, hands and objects placed on the screen, including more than 50 simultaneous touch points. Pixels in the display 'see' what's touching the screen and that information is immediately processed and interpreted.

The latest version of Microsoft's Surface software has a new look and feel. It also allows commercial application developers to use a new version of the Microsoft Surface SDK and familiar Microsoft development tools to take advantage of the multitouch and object recognition capabilities of PixelSense to deliver unique user experiences. It is powered by an embedded AMD Athlon II X2 Dual-Core Processor 2.9GHz paired with an AMD Radeon HD 6700M Series GPU featuring DirectX 11 support.

The device is designed for use in retail, hospitality and education contexts and has a slimmer four inches thick form factor, which makes it useable horizontally, or hanging vertically with a VESA mount, or embedded in walls or custom enclosures. Standard legs are available or customers can design and attach their own.

The retail price of the Samsung SUR40 starts at $7,600. It will be available later in 2011 in 23 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

I Can Hear the Pixels Now ...

Pixels in the display "see" what's touching the screen and that information is immediately processed and interpreted.

"Wow! It got dark all of a sudden" said a pixel in the center of the table.
"It sure did!" chimed in another half million of his neighbors.
"It's pitch black all the way out here," came reports from the pixels at the corners.
"Confirmed." echoed the pixels in between.
"Wait a second ..." said some pixels near the back center edge "there's a little bit of light coming through out our way."
"Hate to interrupt," said the built-in microphone, "but I just picked up something that sounded like a fog horn."
"And now it's pitch black again," relayed the pixels from the back center edge.
"Emergency! Emergency!" came the alarm from the chemical sensors. "Attention back center edge pixels: a dangerously high concentration of methane has been detected in your area."
"Oh great!" lamented all of the pixels in unison, "Bertha Bigbuns is back."

Pixelsense

I guess...

Now we know why MS can't field a competitive tablet. It's because they are more interested in building a 40" surface for niche purposes. Perhaps they should consolidate their surface team into a team focused on creating something 25% the size.

Surface + iOS would be nice

To be honest, I have zero trust, and for that matter, zero confidence in anything Microsoft produces. Never have. Never will. But Samsung I like. For monitors and TVs, anyways. Which begs the question: if Apple were to decide to rejig the iOS to be the de-facto OS on a Surface-like device, would anyone truly be interested? I know I would be. Unfortunately, the big joke going around would suddenly be all about it being called a suppository again, but this time, a Maxi-iPad

I could see the use in schools as wall-mounted whiteboards. Or maybe the actual desk tops on desks for students to use.